The Haitian Diaspora Political Action Committee (HDPAC) and the Office of the Haitian Diaspora (ODIHA) filed a $550 million federal lawsuit on Sept. 28 against former President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Senator JD Vance, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana and tech mogul Elon Musk, among others, for orchestrating a conspiracy to violate the civil rights of Haitian immigrants.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, accuses the defendants of inciting hostility and violence toward Haitian migrants, particularly those in Springfield, Ohio.
According to the plaintiffs, the harmful and false narratives propagated about Haitian immigrants, including defamatory accusations that they have engaged in criminal activities, such as stealing and eating residents’ pets, have not only endangered families but have also damaged their reputations and put their safety at risk.
These claims, which local officials and media reports have debunked, were amplified on social media and public platforms, particularly by Musk’s platform X, formerly Twitter. Haitian American leaders assert that these racially charged statements were designed to incite fear, hatred, and violence against the Haitian community in the U.S.
“This lawsuit seeks to hold the defendants accountable for their reckless and defamatory conduct, which has endangered the lives of Haitian migrants,” Ralph Francois, counsel for the plaintiffs, said.
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